Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane isn't buying the talk about his team being in rebuild mode after signing a four-year, $64-million extension earlier in May.
"Everybody keeps saying about this rebuild year ... I ain't got time for it," Achane said on Terron Armstead's podcast Monday. "I'm not trying to hear 'we rebuilding for two years' ... I ain't trying to do it."
The Dolphins are in transition after hiring a new regime led by head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, both of whom were previously with the Green Bay Packers in different roles.
Sullivan has made sweeping changes to the roster since taking over as general manager, notably releasing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and spreading a $99-million dead cap hit over the next two seasons. The Dolphins currently have a league-high $179.4 million in dead money tied up for the 2026 campaign, according to Over The Cap.
On top of cutting the longtime starting signal-caller, Miami parted ways with wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins traded Waddle to the Denver Broncos for a package that included a 2026 first-round pick, which they used to move up in the draft and select cornerback Chris Johnson from San Diego State.
Hill was released in mid-February and is still recovering from a major knee injury that sidelined him for the final 13 games of the 2026 season. Acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, the 32-year-old earned two first-team All-Pro honors during his four-year tenure in Miami.
But the Dolphins made a splash this offseason by signing quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5-million contract. He's projected to be Miami's starting signal-caller after tallying 1,233 total yards and nine touchdowns in 11 games (three starts) over the previous two seasons with the Packers.
"Most definitely, I want to win the division; we gotta win a playoff game. I ain't even going to say we're going to be trying to win the championship, but we just got to get those things first."
Achane, 24, recorded 1,838 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns in 2025 to earn his first Pro Bowl nod.
